Saturday, February 26, 2011

We Have (Thoroughly) Celebrated

From his actual birthday on Monday to his Toy Story birthday bash today, Little Man has lived it up. And mommy is tired!

Photobucket
Monday morning we had our traditional breakfast cake. Nothing like a bunch of sugar to start the day off right.

Photobucket
Since his birthday fell on President's Day, David was off of work. Yipee! We all went to Red Lobster (Jonathan's pick) and played with toys from Grandma & Grandpa Pecos (this is what my boys call David's parents), Brian & Beth and Great Grandma Dominguez. I always think that you should open a few gifts on your actual day when your party is another day! ; )

Photobucket
Today was the day of the par-tay. And I was so excited that Jonathan chose a "Buzz & Woody" party. There's just SO MUCH you can do with it (and most of the decor can be found in your toy box)! A big THANK YOU to my good friend, Jami, for her help from afar! She did the same theme a year ago for her son, Jaxon!

Photobucket
I learned how to make tissue paper pom-poms...and used them everywhere I could think of! Tried to stick to Buzz's colors.

Photobucket
Celebrate Banner

Photobucket
Barrel of Monkeys banner....there are small monkeys nestled in the points of the triangles.

Photobucket
I even found a place for my oops item! I ordered two etch-a-sketches thinking they were full size and this is what arrived. They hung out in the bathroom.

Photobucket
Pizza Planet Pizza, T-Rex's Dino Nuggets, {Mr.} Potato {Head} Chips & Dips, Rocket Ships (fruit skewers) and Planetary Pretzels were on the menu!

Photobucket
We served tea for the moms & dads and "Jessie's Juices" (Capri Suns) for the little Space Rangers.

Photobucket
I found the idea for Buzz's Rocket Ships somewhere online.

Photobucket
Pez Party Favors

Photobucket
One of my favorites....the Photo Booth!
Woody & Buzz

Photobucket
Our friends, the Bolays

Photobucket
John Paul

Photobucket
The Stewart Brothers

Photobucket
Abriella

Photobucket
Avery & Jenae

Photobucket
Artem

Photobucket
Andrik

Photobucket
The Army Men Hunt! I stole this idea from Jami. It was like an Easter egg hunt, but with Andy's Army Men from the movie. We told the kiddos that Andy's mom was bustin' out the trash bags before he was leaving for college. They could help save the army men from their doom by collecting them all and taking them home! I was also super excited to find all the camo buckets at Dollar Tree!


Photobucket
Susan, Andrik & Artem hunting

Photobucket
John Paul even dressed the part!

Photobucket
Annie

Photobucket
Originally I created a poster for a "Pin the Badge on Sheriff Woody" game. Long story as to how that got scrapped...had to do with hours uploading to print! So we played HOT {Mr.} POTATO {Head} with music from Toy Story.

Photobucket
Passing the potato!

Photobucket
Jonathan & his cake

Photobucket
Opening some super thoughtful treats

Photobucket
He slept through the whole thing!

It was a fun time. I love home parties. They're a bit more work (cleaning, planning, etc.), but totally fun. I dread the day when the boys are too old for me to plan a fun party with lots of neat details and such!
Photobucket

Sunday, February 20, 2011

The Big FOUR!

Tomorrow we celebrate four years of Jonathan Miles. It has been a wonderful four years with a spunky little boy full of personality and love. We love you, Jon Jon...you've completed our family in a way we could never even dream of! ; )


Photobucket
"May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you...


Photobucket
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young...


Photobucket
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you...

Photobucket
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young...

Photobucket
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift...

Photobucket
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young."

(lyrics from Forever Young by Bob Dylan)

Photobucket

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Because my camera isn't in the shop...

...I'll be forcing more soccer photos on you.

Today we have not one but two soccer games. Whew. We are on a little break at home and I thought I'd get these up while I can.

Photobucket
And....BREAK!


Photobucket
Doing his thang.


Photobucket



Photobucket
Benjamin's not actually in this photo. I just loved the other team's goalie mom. She didn't put that Starbucks down for anything. A mom after my own heart.

Photobucket
Benjamin (under arrow)...getting in there and turning it around toward our goal! WTG!

Photobucket
That bench isn't going to keep itself warm, people.

Photobucket
Jonathan had a little sideline game going on.

Photobucket
"goodgamegoodgamegoodgame"


Photobucket

Friday, February 18, 2011

Break. My. Heart.

Photobucket

Living in a military-dominated town, we're painfully aware that people come and go. And come and go. And come and go. Our previous Life Group was full of favorite faces that are now in new places. It's just kind of the way it is.

But, today, it's breaking my child's heart. Up until August, the majority of our friends were based in Belton since our church is there. And that's been great...not too many moves so far. We're keeping somewhat tight-leashes on our friends. : )

But our new schools over here in K-town have brought with it some wonderful new friendships. And for Jonathan, it's brought a best buddy in the little boy pictured above with him, Artem. He spends every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday getting to hang out with the bff at school. We've gone on several play dates and just really soaked up what little time we have left with our friend.

Today I picked Jonathan up from playing at Artem's for the afternoon. We started on the way home and I mentioned how Artem's family was only two weeks away from their big move to Dubai in UAE.

And then it happened. Jonathan wept. And wept pretty hard over the fact that his buddy would no longer live close by. We've chatted about the move before, but today was a bit different. Being at Artem's house, seeing the boxes, chatting with his mom about how there's just two weeks left. I think it just felt a bit more real.

I was also telling Jonathan how far away Dubai is. I mean having friends move to San Antonio is one thing...we can see them when we go see Shamu. But, we probably won't be making a lot of road trips to the UAE.

So how do we deal with this? I know this is probably the first of many BFFs moving away since this is where we plan to stay (until everyone has graduated from Ellison at least. Did you read that David? Until EVERYONE is through Ellison). But, will it get easier?

My heart's just hurting for my little buddy who is losing his little buddy in a couple of weeks. Sniff, sniff.

Artem....you sure will be missed, sweet friend. We hope to Skype with you as soon as we figure out how! ; )



Photobucket

Friday, February 04, 2011

Snowpocalypse 2011

While a lot of you have had it MUCH worse than we have (I keep reading of frozen pipes, no electricity or water and roads covered in slabs of ice), we got our first real snow late last night. All week, Benjamin has been hoping and praying for a snow day, and he got it today! (And this year, Daddy did, too-- YAY!) When David's phone rang at 4:30 am to tell him of the district closing, I knew our kindergartener's wish came true. It was nice seeing as how all week the temps were below twenty...kind of nice to have the fun part of the cold, too!

And as quickly as it came....it went. We took these photos about three hours ago. And now, it's all melted and gone. That's kind of how I like to enjoy snow. Fast and furious. And then on with the show.

We frolicked, played and then came in for hot chocolate. A lazy afternoon is forming now...in front of the fire and movies. Snow days are so nice.

Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket

Oh....and luck of all lucks: last night at about 7:30, I got the call I'd been waiting for a month to get. My camera was finally fixed and ready to pick up at the Geek Squad counter. Amen and hallelujah. Just in time for snow pics. I missed the camera so much. So glad she's home. And well again.
Photobucket